Ryuuou no Oshigoto! - Volume 6 - Chapter 2.4

  PLAYER ROOM DEBUT

There’s something called a park debut.

It’s just parents taking their kid to the park for the first time, but the kid can have all sorts of social problems later on if things go south that day. It’s an important event for all mothers raising kids.

Today is just as important, and I’ve got to face it head on.

“A-Almost time …… Is it really okay ……?”

I’ve been arguing with myself, going back and forth since around the time elementary school lets out while pacing around the Shogi Association entrance. Turning back around, a woman coming down the stairs says hello.

“Is something the matter, Kuzuryu-sensei? You seem a lot more restless than usual.”

“M-Ms. Mato ……”

It’s the Shogi journalist, Mato.

She’s actually a Women’s League title holder known as Machi the Tormentor, Yamashiro Ouka Machi Kugui.

Normally, she’d greet me with, “Salutations,” or some strange word in the Kyoto dialect. On the days she’s in work mode, on the other hand, she wears a nice suit and makes a conscious effort to use words everyone is used to. To be blunt, I wish she were always like this. Plus, those massive boobs fighting back against that constrictive suit is always a sight to see …… Mouthwatering.

H-Hold up! Now’s not the time for that.

“T-The truth is …… I’m going to take my apprentices to the Player’s Room for the first time today ……”

“Ahh, it’s their Player’s Room debut. A big day indeed.”

Ms. Mato nods with understanding.

The Player’s Room itself is a long, rectangular room on the association’s third floor.

It’s basically a room only for pros, Women’s League members, Sub League members, and Shogi journalists.

While it’s a battleground where the next generation of Shogi players collide from dawn until dusk, it’s also one of the few places where we can socialize.

“Those apprentices of yours are Women’s League members now. They qualify to go inside but …… Simply going in the room is pointless if you don’t have an opponent.”

“Yes! That’s exactly it!”

Joining the Women’s League means they can come and go as they wish.

But that doesn’t mean they’ll always have a place there.

Just like a park, going won’t make any difference if the people there don’t accept you. What I’d like to have happen is the two of them get to the point where they can go whenever they want and always have someone to practice with but …… 

“What was your debut like, Ms. Mato? Did everything go well?”

“I fit right in because I had already met many of the Sub League members when they taught at children’s classrooms or hosted practice sessions that I went to when I was younger.”

Strictly speaking, Sub League members can’t have part-time jobs.

The exception would be work they get through the association, jobs that involve Shogi.

Whether it’s children’s classes, helping out at Shogi events, going to the association’s Shogi classroom, buying something at the gift shop, or even doing things for the Practice League, there are plenty of chances to interact with Sub League members if you play Shogi at the association.

Unfortunately …… the Ai’s don’t have that advantage.

“Miss Hinatsuru and Miss Yashajin each became Women’s League members less than a year after first coming to the association. That’s a very short amount of time. I doubt they’ve had much chance to speak with members of the Sub League.”

“Yes, yes! That’s it exactly!”

“And then there’s the fact that you’re so protective of them, Ryuo. They may have difficulty forging their own paths.”

“D-Does it look that way ……?”

“Indeed, it does.”

She nods a very definitive yes.

“In fact, you spend so much time lording over them that there are quite a few Sub League members who are concerned they’ll face the Master’s wrath should they even try to talk with one of your apprentices, let alone challenge them to a game of Shogi.”

“J-Just me being around …… could ruin their debut ……?”

“With your lol …… No. They believe you are taking extra special care of your apprentices.”

“You were about to say Lolita complex, weren’t you?! Don’t tell me the Sub League members all think of me that way?!”

“So, what was your debut like, Ryuo?”

Well, someone sure wants to change the subject.

“Me? It went well because Mr. Kagamizu was there to help me out but ……”

“Do you know someone who had a bad debut?”

“……… Big Sis ……”

“Oh yes …… That’s right ……”

Big Sis first came to the Player’s Room when she was about four, more than ten years ago.

The vibe in there was a lot more relaxed back then, closer to a break room than a Shogi training ground. Of course, there were always matches going on, but people would be chatting right next to the boards or watching a baseball game on TV …… So, Master took Big Sis and I there like it was a field trip to observe. I still remember being extremely excited to go.

Being a boy might’ve helped, but I found an opponent right away and he agreed to a handicapped match. We played the Sub League’s calling card, ten-second Shogi. It goes without saying that I got completely destroyed, but I had a blast.

On the other hand, Big Sis is a girl and a very shy one at that. She didn’t fit in at all.

She hid behind Master the whole time, glaring at other people like a cat on high alert. That day happened to be one of the few that Oishi-sensei was at the association. She sought him out and said, “You Oishi?” before going in for the, “Leave my Master alone!! Ranging Rook players should all just disappear!!” attack. That incident was her debut.

Though, it was the best she could’ve asked for in terms of being remembered …… 

“…… It’s bad enough to stick out, but she made an enemy out of the entire Ranging Rook party and the Crush Ginko Sora Group got created all because of that debut ……”

“Yes, that was around for a while.”

“I don’t want my apprentices to go through the same thing! …… Think about it. Lady Ai Yashajin’s arrogance is just like Big Sis and Ai Hinatsuru is just as hard-headed ……”

“…… Same goes for their affection for the Ryuo.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“Nothing for you to worry about. I was speaking quietly so you wouldn’t hear.”

Ms. Mato’s lips curl into a grin.

“If you’re so concerned, why not wait for another day? You can do more preparation ……”

“Oh, I’ve prepared, all right! Thoroughly! This is as perfect as it’s going to get!”

“How so?”

“I chose today because Big Sis is busy working as a match recorder, so I know for a fact she won’t come to the Player’s Room! Their debut has to be today!”

“Yes, I see. Today is the only day.”

Putting my apprentices in the same narrow room as Big Sis would be the same as putting two poisonous insects in the same box. One of them will die. Possibly everyone, if things get bad enough.

That’s why I want to get their debut out of the way while the silver-haired troll is busy …… 

“Wait, I’ve got it! Would you take my apprentices to make their Player’s Room debut, Ms. Mato?!”

“You’re asking …… me?”

“Look, you and Ryou Tsukiyomizaka spend so much time in there, you practically own the place?! With you on their side, my apprentices will be accepted right off the bat!”

“What do you think I am, a prison guard ……?”

“Same difference?! Please, do this for me! I promise I’ll find a way to pay you back double!!”

I clamp my hands together and lower my head, begging for help.

But.

“I refuse.”

“Why?!”

“Can you blame me–––?”

She takes off her glasses and leans in right next to my ear to say, “…… You’re putting more priority on those girls than yours truly.”

After feeling her lips brush against my ear, she gives me a captivating smile before buying two bottles of tea from the vending machine and going back upstairs.

I space out, completely lost in her provocative aura. A jolt from inside my pocket brings me back to reality.

“Met Ten-chan at Fukushima Station!”

A message from Ai …… 

Only the snap of Shogi pieces and the electric hum of chess clocks can be heard in the Player’s Room, but they go on forever.

“Hello there.”

I casually say, stepping inside.

Three pairs of Sub League members are doing practice matches but not a single one acknowledges me, the Ryuo. This is a space where that kind of thing is allowed.

A room where Shogi is even more respected than the people who play it–––the Kansai Shogi Association Player’s Room.

“Hey. Living up to your status as a titleholder by being fashionably late, I see.”

“Yaichi♡”

The only Sub League members to return my greeting were sitting on opposite sides of an analysis board at the far end of the long table.

Hiuma Kagamizu 3-dan and Sota Kunugi 2-dan. There’s nearly twenty years between them, but they’re good friends.

I wave my restless apprentices to come inside.

“Come on. Stop sputtering in the hallway and say hello.”

“M …… May I come inside ……?”

“…… Pardon the intrusion.”

The Sub League members in the middle of matches glance up for a moment when the two grade school girls step through the doorway but look back at their boards just as quickly. Shogi gets more respect in this room than grade schoolers, probably one of the only rooms like it in the world …… 

“Well, well. Who have we here? Come on over, you two.”

Picking up on the situation, Mr. Kagamizu smiles and waves at them.

As their Master, I put my hands on the backs of their heads and force Ai and Ai to bow.

“Today is their Player’s Room debut ……”

“N-Nice to meet you!”

“Watch it! I can bow on my own, thank you very much! I’m not a child!”

Ai Hinatsuru goes along with it and then takes my hand with a tight squeeze once I let her head back up, but Ai Yashajin swats my hand away. Well, their personalities are coming through loud and clear.

Mr. Kagamizu and Sota say with a hint of nostalgia, “Ha ha ha. Well, everyone gets a bit edgy on their Player’s Room debut.”

“Very true. I was so nervous on my first day.”

“No, Sota, you were completely relaxed.”

“Was I? I don’t remember.”

Sota giggles. He is so easy-going it’s hard to believe he’s only eleven.

“Your timing couldn’t be better. Sota and I were analyzing today’s match, but it’s slowed to a crawl. Today being your debut and all, I suppose I could fill in as your opponent.”

Mr. Kagamizu turns to face Ai Yashajin.

“Miss Yashajin. How about a match?”

He reaches out like asking her to dance.

Sota tilts his head like something doesn’t make sense.

“Why would you ask her?”

“Hm? Oh, well …… She’s perked my interest.”

Hearing that, Ai Yashajin locks eyes with him and says, point-blank, “Do you …… have a Lolita complex?”

“Why would you jump to that conclusion?!”

“It’s not that much of a stretch. You and my Master are close friends, yes? That means you would have similar interests ……”

Hold on, is she saying that I like little girls?!

“D-Don’t be so rude, Ai! You just got invited to play against a Sub League 3-dan! Be respectful and learn what he’s willing to teach!”

“………”

She looks back at him, her eyes scanning Mr. Kagamizu from head to toe.

“How old are you, exactly? Somewhere in your late twenties, yes?”

Out of everything she could say, why’d she have to go there?! Come ooooon!!

“Being 3-dan means nothing if you’ve been stuck in the Sub League for that long. Clearly, your Shogi has flaws and I don’t want to pick them up. If there were someone here with something to teach me, it’d be him. Kunugi 2-dan …… was it?”

“I don’t mind at all.”

Sota nods right away.

Mr. Kagamizu forces a grin and lets Ai Yashajin sit down in his seat. I lower my head to him and give her a sharp glare, but the Master’s fury is nothing but a summer’s breeze to the Lady. Yeesh …… 

Sota looks up at me and asks, “How shall we play this match?”

“Piece flip,” says Ai before I can respond. Ooph …… 

She’s saying that she’s on the same level as a Sub League 2-dan. Most people would think she’s let all her victories against Women’s League members go to her head but …… That’s not it. That arrogance is Lady Ai Yashajin in a nutshell.

“…… She went against Kanto Sub League member Karen Noboryou 2-kyu in the Mynavi Finals and played a perfect match. I don’t think she’ll embarrass herself playing without a handicap.”

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

Sota smiles as I explain.

Even Ai wasn’t about to take the upper King for herself or do the piece flip, so at least she’s showing a bit of respect. Ending up on defense, Ai starts the match by pressing the chess clock switch. She’s going into this match ready to play. Not only is the girl confident she can hold her ground against a 2-dan, she’s gunning for the win. The air is so thick it stings. Ai Hinatsuru tightens her grip on my hand.

The chess clock counting down, Sota looks up to say something before making the first move.

“Miss Yashajin.”

“What?”

“What would you consider to be a meaningless move to open a match?”

“Huuh?”

“A move that wastes the advantage of going first, like passing.”

“Why are you asking now ……? 3 Eight Gold, maybe?”

“Okay then. Any others?”

“How should I know? Something like 7 Eight Gold?”

Snap.

Sota makes his first move. Ai’s eyes snap open like a cat.

“Wha ……!?”

His opening move–––3 Eight Gold.

“Do you think you’re being funny ……?”

The corner of Sota’s mouth curls into a grin. Even Ai’s pupils are flared all the way open. This kid is fearless.

“…………”

Ai then moves the Pawn in front of her Rook, bent on making him regret that taunt by hitting hard and fast.

Now, what’s Sota going to play for his second move–––?

“What?!”

That wasn’t just Ai Yashajin.

In addition to Mr. Kagamizu, Ai and myself watching the match, the other Sub League members playing Shogi next to them stop in the middle of their match to gawk.

–––7 Eight Gold.

Sota opened with the two moves that Ai said were a waste. In other words, he passed on his first two moves.

“……………… You will die ……”

That wasn’t one of her sharp quips.

Her voice dropped so low it sent chills down my spine. Her eyes are locked on the board, but that voice is hell-bent on murder. She then moves her Pawn one space further forward as if thrusting a blade toward her opponent’s chest.

Meanwhile, Ai Hinatsuru blinks a few times looking at the early game formation.

“Fuwawa! It looks like his side of the board is saying \(^o^)/ hurray!”

“Yes …… It sure does ……”

3 Eight Gold doesn’t exist as an opening move in pro league matches. The Golds are the key to defense, so moving both of them away from the King at the very beginning is so pointless that no one would actually do it.

Yes …… No one would play Shogi like that. No person would anyway.

Ai set out to punish those moves for violating the standards and Shogi theory itself.

But.

“H-How ……?!”

She ran out of attack options at around the 70th move.

Kangire. It means her attack has failed and she’s out of offensive options.

Sota saw the all-out assault coming and easily dodged everything she threw at him before neutralizing the threat.

This would normally be where you’d throw in the towel, but–––.

“…… I won’t let it end like this!!”

Ai grits her teeth and shifts her Rook to the center of the board in a defensive shift. She’s going back to what she does best, defense, and plans on waiting until Sota makes a mistake …… 

“………”

Sota picks up a piece from his piece stand and starts twirling it his fingers.

It’s almost like he’s playing with it to get a reaction out of her.

“Here, here, here ……”

My other apprentice starts rocking back and forth next to me. She must’ve picked up a checkmate’s scent.

“Here, here, hereherehereherehereherehere–––.”

Snap!!

Sota stops playing with a piece and smacks it down the board while Ai Hinatsuru was still swaying.

“?!”

My first apprentice and I stare at the board in disbelief.

–––Before Ai could finish reading?!

Every move Sota made from then on happened without a single second coming off the chess clock …… Ai’s King didn’t stand a chance.

Yeah, he read through all the way to the end faster than anyone else, including me.

Her King backed all the way into the corner, Ai ground her teeth and threw a piece in frustration.

“Khh!! …… There’s nothing left.”

“Hm? What’s not left?”

“I’m saying I lost, okay?!!”

“Haha. Thank you.”

The corner of his mouth curling up again, Sota bows and says, “Just to let you in on the secret, I was planning to open with 3 Eight Gold from the start.”

From the start ……?

“Opening with 3 Eight Gold makes people suspicious …… But bring it up like that, and the first thing most people come up with is 3 Eight Gold or 7 Eight Gold.”

A simple trick once you know how it works.

Ai thought she came up with 3 Eight Gold on her own, but actually Sota made her say it. Then she jumped right into the trap that he set for her …… 

“I get it. You riled up my apprentice so that you could control her moves.”

“Yes. Seeing her look down on Mr. Kagamizu like that didn’t sit well with me and I can’t let her think all of us are weak just because she defeated a Kanto Sub League 2-kyu.

“……!!”

Sota has a cute baby face but is roasting her alive. Ai Yashajin bites her lip to endure the pain.

However, the real pain was about to hit. He looks at her with all seriousness.

“Although, I personally think that 3 Eight Gold and 7 Eight Gold are the best opening moves.”

“3 Eight Gold, the best move ……?”

Of course, hearing that is surprising for me. But for Ai after losing like that, it was like he was calling her dumb right to her face. The girl’s eyes get sharper with each passing second. This could be very bad.

“Ahh …… Well, yeah.”

Caught in an extremely awkward silence, I try to wrap this up by force.

“I think both of you have a better idea how good the Sub League is, as well as how deep Shogi theory can go! You can play against strong players just by coming in here, so it’s up to you to take advantage of this opportunity–––.”

“Master.”

“Hm? What is it, Ai?”

“Do professional Senseis come here a lot, too?”

“Yes, they do. Most of them are younger players like me, so I think it will be easy for you to play against them once you get used to coming here.”

Ai’s face lights up as she takes my hand.

“That means you come here a lot, right, Master?!”

“? Well, yeah, I guess.”

“Okay, okay. Then I want to play practice matches against you!”

“Come again? Me?”

“Master is the Ryuo, so Master is the strongest, right? In that case, I want you to be the one to teach me! I can learn more from you than from anyone else! I want you to be my Player’s Room debut opponent, Master!!”

“Ohh? …… Huh? Say what now?”

I brought her here to encourage her to strike out on her own …… But now, I’ve promised to play against her. How’d it turn out like this?

I only came here to make sure my apprentices’ Player’s Room debuts went well–––.

“………… He will die …… I’ll see to that ……”

Rather than make some friends, Ai Yashajin is fuming.

“From now on, we can play at the association, too! Not just at home! More, we can play so much more! Master, let’s play Shogi♡♡♡”

Ai Hinatsuru is even more clingy than she was before.

Disaster!

Their Player’s Room debut was a total disaster!!

“Ummm …… Hmm …… Well ………”

With everything I’ve planned backfiring, what’s the right thing to say to my apprentices? I’m completely lost and can’t see which way to go anymore.

And, there’s a second important debut I want these two to have today ……!

Think!

There has to be a way to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat–––!!

“O-Oh! I almost forgot! You can watch the league matches happening on the fourth and fifth floors in real time right here in the Player’s Room!”

“So? I can see updates on my phone anytime I want.”

“Hold up! That’s just data posted to the live blog!! Here, you can watch a feed from the ceiling camera in the arena! It’s live!”

Desperate to spark Ai Yashajin’s interest after she shot down my first attempt, I go to the monitor in the back of the room and show her how to use it.

“It’s an IP camera, so everything’s hooked up to a local network. You can see every match going on in Tokyo, too, not just Osaka. And see? If there isn’t a match going on, it just shows the tatami mat.”

“Well …… That is interesting.”

“I know, right?! The Player’s Room is awesome, yeah?! Yeah!!”

I talk up the Player’s Room in a last-ditch effort to make her like this place.

But, it turns out I didn’t have to because both the Ai’s are completely entranced by what’s on the screen.

There’s only one match going on in Kansai today.

Since it has the most waiting time out of all league matches, this match will probably go late into the night. It’s early evening, and only now on the twenty-fourth move, are pieces beginning to collide. Talk about a snail’s pace.

Both players are being cautious …… But, there’s a good reason for it.

Best of Seven A Rank Placement Match–––King Mitsuru Oishi vs. Crown Yo Okito.

“It-it’s a match between titleholders ……!”

“The preliminaries for the King League are right around the corner. He can’t afford to lose this match ……”

Looking at the information on the screen, both my apprentices sound like they’re on the edge of their seats.

This Shogi is unusual, as well.

“Opposing Rook …… In a match like this?” says Ai Yashajin as she leans in close to the screen.

“…… The strategy the old lady used against the Women’s Legend.”

Old lady = Keika.

“That’s right. Even for Ranging Rook, chaos can break out at any time. Mr. Oishi likes power struggles where a bit of worldly intuition can tip the match in his favor but …… What do you think, Mr. Kagamizu? How’s his Opposing Rook?”

“Unique, for sure.”

As a fellow member of the Ranging Rook party, Mr. Kagamizu is an avid follower of the Worldly Maestro. He comes to the association for every single one of Mr. Oishi’s matches. I’m sure that he and Sota were analyzing this match before we came in.

“It’s not unheard of to start with Goki-Central and transition into Opposing Rook, but Oishi-sensei almost never plays that way.”

Ai Yashajin looks up at me and asks, “Is he trying to throw off his opponent?”

“That’s part of it, but this time–––.”

The match progresses …… and my mind speeds up.

My brain goes from a sleep-deprived haze to firing on all cylinders.

Mr. Oishi’s creativity has sparked my Shogi sense.

There’s nothing I can do about it, but this spark from the outside flips the switch and all sorts of ideas start running through my head–––all the possible future paths this could take hit me all at once.

Shogi …… won’t stop ……!

“…… Let’s keep talking about it downstairs.”

“Downstairs?” the girls say at the same time.

The truth is that I set up another debut for them, not just the Player’s Room.

“Master? What’s downstairs?”

“Stop acting all high and mighty and say it already.”

My apprentices want to know, and I give them the answer.

“A very important job for Women’s League members–––providing commentary at a Shogi big board.”